Ahn Cheol-soo on Lee Jae-myung's Candidacy Declaration: "He Must Resolve His Own 'Maksanism' First"

Ahn: "Lee incites national division and conflict"
"Focused solely on becoming president... What has he actually done?"
"No one knows the Democratic Party better than I do"

Ahn Cheol-soo, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, said, "The video of former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's declaration of candidacy relies on emotions to distort reality and rather incites national division and conflict." On the 10th, Ahn stated this on his social media (SNS), saying, "We must stop Lee Jae-myung first to have a true Republic of Korea."

Ahn Cheol-soo, People Power Party member. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Ahn said, "The expression in the former leader's declaration video that defines impeachment as 'the removal of an unrighteous power' reduces the constitutional procedure of presidential dismissal to a victory of a specific political faction and distorts the judgment of the entire nation into his own narrative," adding, "The attempt to politically monopolize the Constitutional Court's decision is a serious damage to liberal democracy."

He continued, "It is very irresponsible to solely blame the current government for extreme polarization and the hardships of people's livelihoods. As the leader of the super-major opposition party, Lee Jae-myung led 30 impeachments that paralyzed the government and focused only on protecting himself," and questioned, "He was only focused on becoming president, but what has he done for the people's livelihood?"

He also pointed out, "He talks about all kinds of good words like 'Jalsanism' and 'pragmatism,' but there are no concrete plans. Before listening to Lee Jae-myung, who is facing 12 charges and 5 trials, what needs to be addressed first is his political integrity and morality as a public official," and criticized, "He should resolve his own 'Maksanism' and 'Mangnaniism' first and then run for the presidential election."

He added, "Lastly, while claiming to create a 'true Republic of Korea,' Lee's message remains in the dichotomous politics dividing 'us' and 'them,'" and said, "There is no sign of national unity, and it reveals the true face of Lee Jae-myung's politics, which has used division as its driving force. What is needed now is responsible politics, not emotional videos."

Lee: "I will create a true Republic of Korea"... Ahn: "I am the one who can surpass Lee Jae-myung"

Citizens are passing by Seoul Station on the 10th as former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung officially declared his presidential candidacy by releasing a video message. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

On the same day, the former leader Lee Jae-myung announced through an 11-minute video released on YouTube in the morning, "I am running for president to create a true Republic of Korea," and said, "I want to become Lee Jae-myung, a great and the best tool for the Korean people."

He said, "Through two candlelight revolutions, the revolution of light, and the bloodless peaceful revolution that removed real power, such unprecedented events in world history have been achieved in the name of democracy," and added, "It truly showed the power of great democracy." He also emphasized, "I believe there are several areas where Korea leads the world," and said, "I want to collectively call these the 'K Initiative.'"

Ahn officially declared his presidential candidacy on the 8th in front of the Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. He said, "As someone who helped President Yoon with unification, I offer deep reflection and apology. Martial law was wrong, and as clearly shown in the Constitutional Court's ruling, it was declared unconstitutional by all judges," emphasizing, "We do not have the luxury to look back on the past with regret now. It is time for a 'change of era' to restore the economy and daily life and to eliminate the wrong past."

He also said, "The Democratic Party under Lee Jae-myung is clearly responsible for the conflicts in Korea," and added, "No one knows the Democratic Party better than I do. Please choose me as the only candidate who can surpass Lee Jae-myung and win."